please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
If you see half a dozen scruffy guys in this pub on Thursday night wearing football kit and looking exhausted, sorry. This is our post-game drinking den and we're here from 9pm-10pm religiously. Not cheap but the Guinness cannot be faulted and the bar staff are friendly. Decent food - we always get a couple of plates of tapas (what posh football folk we are).
This place gets very busy. The crowd is mostly well-heeled North London punters nursing a bottle of Chablis. We spot the occasional celebrity, which is a fun game but rather too easy around here. We've tried other Highgate boozers but always return here.
|
I agree with the last few comments. I have just moved to the area and i think this pub is great. The atmosphere is always buzzing and the staff seen to be enjoying themselves. Had a great sunday roast. It seems we were lucky to get a table. Am not surprised. It was worth the wait. Really fresh and good size portions. Hope they can keep up the high standards.
|
Had a lovely evening in here the other night,not the best in Highgate but does have a buzzy atmosphere,staff were great,beer well poured,good mix of Highgate types,heard bad things about the food so if your eating perhaps head to the bull down the road.
|
Spent a few hours last Wednesday with a friend and we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Partook in the pub quiz(1pound each) and came second from last.
There was this cute American barmaid who made the best bloody Mary's ever. She explained that she was from LA and this version was the Californian version of a BM.
Exactaly the same but with added Port. Mmmmmmm.
Great pub/bar that is both sophisticated but unpretentious.
|
Bounded into The Angel with two friends at the start of a birthday crawl on 21/10/11. We were served by an extremely attractive young barman. My half of Landlord was simply exquisite. A fine pub. GO THERE!!
|
Struggle to see how people have issues with this premises as I found the place and staff perfectly charming. Only went into to briefly meet someone but ended up staying for a couple of drinks. Was nice to have such a friendly and welcoming manager, a rarity in London, and a fine range of beers and ales well served and presented.Look forward to going back to try the food.
|
Terrible pub. Given its excellent location it should have everything going for it however this is not the case.
Sadly the minority of staff (we're talking one or two) who are pleasant are let down by the majority. From the screaming chefs who leer at passing women through the service hatch to the bar man who responds to customers only in grunts.
I have lived in the area for some time and have seen standards at The Angel slip further and further. Apparently it is now acceptable for random service of food to occur i.e. while you are waiting for your starter other members of your party may well be polishing off their mediocre dessert.
It takes forever to get served, the food is average (at best) and the service is awful and does not come with a smile.
Don�t waste your time here; everywhere else in Highgate is better. Failing that there are some kebab shops in Archway!
|
I've had some nice evenings in here. It's a pleasant place to be, the food is decent and their wine offers aren't bad. I've enjoyed the pub quiz too, although it's impossible to win it now unless you join the other tables in consulting your smart phone.
|
I have to make a comment to the contrary! I do not frequent this pub, but have visited it a few times, as recent as Saturday afternoon (19/02/11) & the bar staff we�re extremely very friendly & welcoming, and the place is exceptionally clean & tidy. Smiley staff, good food & great pints! What more could you ask for?!
|
It is always very useful to receive criticism and very sorry to see people have had bad experiences at the Angel. I assure you we have taken these comments on board and would like to apologise for your poor service on your recent visits.
We have been through some big changes here at the Angel and acknowledge that here was some issues to which we have addressed.
Having said that I know my staff work extremely hard to ensure that your visit is a pleasant one and although we can be extremely busy we are continually striving to go that little bit extra for you.
@ Vickflick � Please accept my apologies for your awful visit. This is not a very common occurrence and is devastating to hear that your visit was marred by such a simple issue. I would really like you to try us again sometime as me and my staff have been working very hard to ensure things like that never happen.
@ TS77 � Yes, we do reference these reports (albeit very difficult to search every review site) and have our very own personal feedback service which gets sent direct to the pub itself on a weekly basis. We have taken many ideas, criticisms, thoughts and praise through this system and appreciate everyone�s input as it will only make us better. Please come back and see if things have changed for the better, Im confident you will see a much improved pub and feel free to use our in-house feedback cards to help us make your experience the best possible.
@ Barspy2010 � Im sorry you felt the bar staff didn�t meet your expectations and we have been working very hard to make sure all our staff can be confident and approachable. Sometimes the balance between this can be different for different people but we appreciate your point of view and look for ways we can resolve this. I believe we have done just that. We would like you to come back and give us another try sometime and hope you see the difference.
@ XspitfireX � I think I can remember your visit and it was problematic due to a reserved table for another group. As I tried to resolve your complaint on the night (I believe we issued 7 complimentary meals) it was with regret that your group continued to cause problems and I felt this was totally unacceptable behaviour. When people reserve a table they would expect it to be free when they wish to use it unfortunately you found this to be �a disgrace�. This is still our policy and will continue to be for the long term future.
@ foghorn � Im not 100% sure why you watch the pub and people walking by but it is very interesting you noticed this group. I am interested by your external approach to reviews and would love for you to actually come inside and see what you are missing. Whilst the Prince of Wales is a lovely pub I think because you saw someone walking by the Angel doesn�t really mean people avoid it, in fact I think you may find the contrary is true. Maybe they fancied a change, maybe some Thai food (which is lovely at the Prince of Wales btw); maybe you should pop in to these pubs sometime as we are all pretty busy and love new faces.
|
I think most people DO avoid the place thesedays. It always seems fairly empty to me. This morning I witnessed fifteen or so "suits" on a lunch-time jolly, struggling and puffing their way up the hill. Almost on their last legs, they hauled-on straight past the Angel and squeezed their corulent, corporate, frames into the much smaller Prince of Wales further on up. This told me something... not sure what, but I pass it on nevertheless. An hour later, heading-on back down the hill, they looked much refreshed.
|
worst pub i have ever been to. the staff are completely incompetent and lack even the basic understanding of customer service. how these idiots are still employed is beyond me. a complete joke - do not waste your time with this poor excuse for a pub. Avoid at all costs.
|
My girlfriend and myself visited this pub last night and while being a really nice bar (decoratively) the staff are somewhat to be desired, There was a man and lady serving behind the bar. The guy was ignorant and basically just grunted when you spoke to him. The girl was completely clueless.
The barman needs to get his head of his backside. It is called the hospitality industry after all..
Overall - we wont be back!
|
On the basis of ongoing quantitative reports surely the standard of service at this pub - which otherwise has so much going for it - has without doubt pipped even the summertime Spaniards Inn for the worst in North London by miles. Does no management at this pub ever reference these continually woeful reports with regard to both very poor food and the equally dismal service of the same.
|
Worst dining, (in actual fact - no dining) experience in Highgate and probably London. Attempted sunday lunch there this weekend, having invited friends from Richmond to showcase the lure of Highgate and its charming pubs.. Totally embarassed and horrified by the lack of service, lack of food and lack of charm. The pub was very busy, very under staffed and struggling to cope with the volume of orders. After an hour of waiting we finally did order and pay at the bar... then we sat and sat and sat for another hour, thinking we were being patient and helpful by not complaining sooner. But as time was getting ridicuous, I went to inquire at the bar. The look of horror on the 3 members of staff's faces said it all, as they stood whispering to each other, not giving us eye contact. To sum up our order had never gone through the till due to some computer error, hence no food. Instead of the manager coming over to face the music and offer us a solution, a younger staff member came over and succeeded in making the situation worse. After an initial apology and offer for refund or to re-take the order, he actually suggested that 'we weren't being very helpful!' and was slightly agressive in his manner. The manager finally came over to refund food but his opening gambit of a chirpy 'how we doing guys? similarly went down pretty badly. So, no food for anyone as by that point, it was too late for our friends who needed to be back in Richmond. Everyone makes mistakes but please train your staff in what makes a good apology and I think perhaps the Angel needs to re-think an arrogant attitude to sloppy service. Only plus, it's cosy for a quick pint, other than that: Avoid, Avoid, Avoid!
|
Revisited this pub today for the first time in three months - a potentially superb pub let down by desperately average food and staggerinlgy appalling undermanned service. May even pip the Spaniards Inn for the worst service award in North London. Congratulations to all concerned!!!
|
In summary - good location, pleasant enough layout, average beer selection (unless you're in to Eurolager), lousy food and service.
Having attended one of their much trumpeted Wednesday Quiz nights last night, I felt compelled to put finger to keyboard. We made the mistake of ordering food, which included a couple of (very dry) burgers, a frozen beef pie and - the piece de resistance - a "Vegetarian Platter". Allegedly.
Upon being presented with a plate of blackened, fatty mess, my friend attempted to send it back, only to be cross-examined by the needlessly self-assured manageress as if she were some 6 year old who hadn't finished her supper. She appeared to think that deep frying a selection of potato wedges/ falafels/ other things from the frozen selection at Morrisons, dumping them on a plate with a scoop of humousy gak and charging �9 for the pleasure was acceptable. Wrong.
When asked for a refund, the manageress, rather predictably, exhibited all the humility of a recently resigned Cabinet Minister, and eventually (very begrudgingly) offered my friend �4.50 refund as she had "eaten half of it". Which she hadn't.
I'm sure she has been lectured on profit margins and overhead recovery rates by the bean counters who run the place (incidentally, I am, for my sins, a bean counter as well), but frankly it's about time she was lectured on customer service by those who, ultimately, pay her wages.
Don't treat the punters like this - there are plenty of other pubs in the area...
|
Good pub, beer in good condition. Interior quite pleasant, would go again if I was in the area.
|
Could be a great pub if it had a few more real ales on. Really good for the trendy wendys of highgate with lots of continental beers. I opted for the Addlestones cider which tasted completely different to everywhere else i've had it (almost watery in taste?). Food was very disappointing, my wife had caesar salad which was left under the heated lamps in the kichen and the burger i had was completely tastless. To round it off the barman brought our cuttlery and handled the eating parts of the knife and fork.
|
Nice enough pub if a little unremarkable. Popped in here to finish the evening after a few at the superior The Flask just up the road and found it a perfectly enjoyable place to sink a few pints whilst chatting to friends, but perhaps lacking anything that would make me desire to come here again in future. Nice and spacious, very presentable looking and a fairly laid-back atmosphere, but the beer choice and price were pretty much middle-of-the-road. Service was fine but could have been a little quicker, prices ok but not the cheapest.
Not bad, but needs to find something extra to take it to the next level such as some entertainment or perhaps an improved slection of drinks.
|
Nice friendly pub. Frequented by "Minty" from 'Enders
|
Will update previous comment - now appears to have had the standard branding exercise; includes the standard "credit crunch" deal a la Flask. Still reasonable choice but service haphazard.
|
After the disappointments of the Flask this is a pleasant surprise - the food and drink range is more independent, the attitude customer-focused and the pricing if not cheap than at least promises value for money. Would recommend!
|
In general a good local pub - however service is not the best and ...as always with rip-off Britain..seriously let down by average to very poor food.
|
Vegetarian Ni�oise consists of:
- half an egg (boiled until the yolk has a sad gray halo)
- blob of hummus, couple of chopped tomatos, generous handful of leaves
- enough cheap vinegrette to coat the inside of the mouth, dribble down the chin and still leave a puddle at the bottom of the dish once I'd finished.
Awful food, won't eat there again.
On the plus side they must have sorted the toilets out since Feb as there was no stinkyness.
|
Good pub, decent selection of continental lagers.
|
Great pub !
Try the Kuppers Kolsch.
The manager is dreamy x
|
We ate here for lunch last Sunday and I was so disappointed. Friends of ours had been a few times last year and were always impressed but we all agreed this was not a great pub.
We were initially seated between what can only be described as two sets of rather pungent toilets.
After some persuasion they agreed to move us.
We all had the roast, I had beef, the rest chicken.
The beef was tough, fatty, greasy and full of gristle.
The "roast" potatoes were slimey on the outside and undercooked on the inside and the whole lot was swimming in gravy that had the consistency of water.
Pudding was ok, not as good as when my friends had eaten there before. Maybe this place has changed hands recently but I wont be hurrying back.
|
Without a doubt the worst experience i have had in a pub for a long time. There were two staff on, one of whom ignored my friends and i for about 10 minutes whilst she flirted with her boyfriend even though there was no one else at the bar.
The food was disappointing - when we ordered, we were given no indication of how long it would take. The one chef working was working like a mad man trying to get food out, and when it arrived over an hour late it was disappointing to say the least!
I will not be going again.
|
Thought it was a good place to have a quiet pint with some mates until one of the bar staff (mentioned in another review) after two years of drinking there, asked us for ID??? Very arrogant and condescending seeing as we are all over 21! We were happy to all show our driving licenses and tell him where to go! No more Angel for us, back to the Wrestlers! Another thing, the toilets are a disgrace, as mentioned in another review.
|
I love this pub. The atmosphere is great the lighting is good (dark). The bar staff are friendly (apart from one saffa that was working there...God he was ignorant) The wednesday quiz is a good craic and the burger is great.
You get nice looking women in there....what more can you ask?
|
nice pub when popping into highgate near george micheals house. lovely atmosphere.
|
Nice pub. Good beers and good service. Wednesday quiz night is fun.
|
Dogs allowed if on lead
|
Nice pub. Have been in a couple of times and always received friendly service. Lovely food too.
Rank toilets though.
|
I had an enjoyable few pints of Heineken in here on Sunday evening. It was pretty busy with a fairly young crowd, but the layout of the pub is good so there was plenty of standing room.
One of the bar staff managed to squirt me straight in the eye with water from the drip tray glass rinse. Even though he still had a smirk on his face he did actually apologise.
It was over �1 for a packet of crisps, so heaven knows what a full meal costs.
I would go back here as it was a good laugh.
|
Walk over Hampstead Heath in winter and if the Flask is too full, try and get a seat by the open fire in the Angel.
anonymous - 24 Mar 2007 17:51 |
Ate here again, was in Highgate with my parent before walking across to Hampstead over Parliament Hill. Again, the food was good - fish & chips, sausage & mash, burger & chips, all up to scratch. Good beer (lots of interesting bottled and draught continentals, though we drank TT Landlord from dimpled handle mugs).
Nice staff, friendly relaxed atmosphere on a Sat afternoon. I'd visit again.
anonymous - 8 Oct 2006 00:27 |
tHEY sHOULD visit their neighbours down the hill at the crown and sample proper food,home cooked,and proper management skills.
anonymous - 7 Aug 2006 19:00 |
A Typical Managed House.No Standards.Poor Service.V.V.Poor Food. For its Location. Anywhere Else This Would Surely Struggle.
anonymous - 23 Jul 2006 18:30 |
Been in here many times. Not had a bad experience, yet. Good selection of beers. Not too overpriced (considering it is Highgate). Normal (unpretentious) barstaff, always polite to me. Most of the punters in here are relatively normal, too. Very few Nathan Barleys. Probably the only pub in Highgate I would recommend.
|
Lovely pint of Tim Taylor Landlord and decent meals (fish and chips, burger and chips). Not packed like the other pubs around the area as it doesn't have a beer garden.
Another of M&B's "unbranded" pubs - like the nearby Flask. Therefore you can expect an excellent beer selection and, although it is unbranded, an eerily similar experience to many other boozers across London...
anonymous - 17 Jun 2006 22:20 |
Timothy Taylor Landlord is kept to a top standard in this establishment. When visiting I have found staff to be friendly and amenable, and remember a pleasant evening last July when I took my cousin from the Caribbean here for a meal and a few beers - she loved it!
|
I'll always remember it for a mid-90s boxing day when there was a hilarious full-on bar brawl with punters being thrown along the pub floor. Police stopped it awww ;)
|
A nice pub. SLightly pretentious (no surprise being in HIghgate) but it is redeemed purely by not being The Flask. Congrats.
|
Very nice little pub,lots of interesting beers, interesting entertainment too.Going back again with my friends.Best approacehd from the top of the hill if you are on foot though.
|
Did not feel comfortable in here having a drink. On the upside good selection of beer.
|
The Angel is a good all-rounder and it's my local which makes it even better!
anonymous - 11 Apr 2005 12:21 |
We had a good time once the barman had stopped his poor attempts at comedy. Great place on a Sunday to have lunch and flick through the papers... but only if the Flask is full.
|
Nice little pub, can get quite crowded at times but that's the mark of a good pub. The food is excellent and always leaves you wanting more. Slightly expensive but that comes from being in a trendy area, and me being used to student hangouts like Wetherspoons. I highly recommend this place, but make sure you come from Highgate tube as the walk up the hill from Archway is a pain! 8/10
Steven - 8 Nov 2004 10:43 |
